Automatic flame-starting installation in particular for multi-fuel internal combustion engines

ABSTRACT

A fully automatic flame-starter installation, especially for multi-fuel internal combustion engines, which essentially consists of a fuel feed pump connected to a fuel-injection nozzle arranged in the suction pipe of the internal combustion engine within the area of a spark gap; the starting of the operation of the flame-starter installation takes place simultaneously with the starting of the internal combustion engine by way of a starter switch while the flame-starter installation is turned off automatically depending on the requirements of the starting conditions of the internal combustion engine and, if necessary, automatically starts up again.

United States, Patent 1191 [111 3,809,045 Frankle May 7, 1974 [54] AUTOMATIC FLAME-STARTING 3,656,465 4/1972 Frankle 123/179 H lNSTALLATION IN PARTICULAR FOR 3,675,033 7/1972 Richard 123/179 H MULTIJUEL INTERNAL COMBUSTION 3,691,393 9/1972 Papachristou 123/179 H ENGINES Inventor: Gerhard Frankle, Grunbach,

Germany Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft,

Stuttgart-Unterturkheim, Germany Filed: Dec. 17, 1971 Appl. No.: 209,314

Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 18, 1970 Germany 2062455 US. Cl. 123/179, 123/198 Primary Examiner-C. J. Husar Attorney, Agent, or FirmCraig and Antonelli [57] ABSTRACT A fully automatic flame-starter installation, especially for multi-fuel internal combustion engines, which essentially consists of a fuel feed pump connected to a fuel-injection nozzle arranged in the suction pipe of the internal combustion engine within the area of a spark gap; the starting of the operation of the flamestarter installation takes place simultaneously with the starting of the internal combustion engine by way of a starter switch while the flame-starter installation is turned off automatically depending on the requirements of the starting conditions of the internal combustion engine and, if necessary, automatically starts up again.

12 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure SPARK r 19135519231: VALVE PATEN'IIEUHAY 7 1974 FEED PU-MP AUTOMATIC FLAME-STARTING INSTALLATION IN PARTICULAR FOR MULTI-FUEL INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES The present invention relates to an automatically operating flame-starter installation especially for multifuel internal combustion engines, essentially consisting of a fuel-feed pump and of a fuel injection nozzle arranged in the air suction pipe of the internal combustion engine within the area of a spark gap.

In order to overcome the starting difficulties occurring during a cold-starting, flame-starter installations are arranged in internal combustion engines for the improvement of the starting behavior, which bring about a warming-up of the suction air by the fuel injected into and combusted in the air suction pipe of the internal combustion engine.

These flame-starter installations as heretofore utilized and provided for the multi-fuel operation of the internal combustion engine, however, are not able to fulfill the requirements, especially after switching over from diesel to gasoline operation. Troubles stem frequently from the spark plug whose position of installation does not assure a completely satisfactory ignition and combustion of the fuel, especially when the internal combustion engine is under towing operating condition. Furthermore, the disadvantage exists that with gasoline operation the fuel feed pump heats up strongly to such an extent that a completely satisfactory supply of the fuel is no longer assured.

The present invention is concerned with the task to provide a flame-starter installation which eliminates all of the aforementioned shortcomings and which assures a delay-free and trouble-free operation of the internal combustion engine not only during the cold start but also during the running-up of the engine, i.e., as its speed increases and the engine begins to warm up.

The underlying problems are solved according to the present invention in that simultaneously with the starting of the internal combustion engine, the starting of the flame-starter installation takes place by way of a starter switch and the flame starter installation is automatically turned off depending on the requirements after the starting of the internal combustion engine and possibly, is started anew, if required.

This flame-starter installation, which operates according to the principle of pressure atomization, is so optimized that the multi-fuel internal combustion engine can be started immediately without any preheating and/or preliminary glowing. A further advantage resides in the fact that the fully automatic operation of the flame-starter installation can commence already after the customary starter switch or starter push button is actuated. Hence, the driver is saved the trouble during the operation of the internal combustion engine from intervening in any manner whatsoever into the flame-starter installation.

By reason of the differing rotational speeds during starting (100 to 150 rpm) and during the running-up of the internal combustion engine, the present invention provides that from the beginning of the starting of the internal combustion engine, the heat quantity given off by the flame-starter installation takes place progressively and/or stepwise.

As a further feature of the present invention, it may be appropriate depending on the given engine, to make the release of the higher heat quantities dependent on the position of the starter switch in order to prevent 'thereby that under certain circumstances, the motor again stalls due to the occurring oxygen deficiencies. Furthermore, in lieu of this possibility, the higher heat quantity may be released only when a predetermined rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is exceeded.

In order to avoid an unfavorable and disadvantageous smoking behavior of the internal combustion engine during the driving operation, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a switch may be provided adapted to be influenced or controlled by a conventional Gamma controller which switch, during the running-up of the internal combustion engine, throttles the heat quantity which may otherwise possibly be adjusted to an excessive amount.

In an advantageous manner, beginning with a predetermined water temperature of the internal combustion engine, a transmitter or pickup arranged in the flamestarter installation, and controlled in dependence on temperature may, according to the present invention, turn off the operation of the flame-starter installation.

Therebeyond, the present invention proposes that after the starting of the internal combustion engine, the continuous operation of the flame-starter installation by means of a safety switch is possible only when a predetermined minimum rotational speed of the internal combustion engine has been exceeded. I It is to be attained by the arrangement made in accordance with the present invention if, for example, the internal combustion engine stallsafter the starting, that an immediate turning'off of the flame-starter installation takes place.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fully automatic flame-starter installation especially for multi-fuel internal combustion engines which avoids by simple means the aforementioned shortcomings and drawbacks encountered in the prior art.

Another object of the present invention resides in a fully automatic flame-starter installation which not only eliminates troubles but assures a completely satisfactory ignition and combustion of the fuel even when the' internal combustion engine is under towing operation.

A further object of the present invention resides in a fully automatic flame-starter installation which assures a completely satisfactory supply of the fuel under all circumstances.

Another object of the present invention resides in a flame-starter installation of the type described above which assures a delay-free and trouble-free operation of the internal combustion engine both during coldstarting as well as during the running up and warm-up of the engine.

A further object of the present invention resides in a fully automatic flame-starter installation of the type described above in which the driver is completely relieved of any need to intervene in the flame-starter operation.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which shows, for purposes of illustration only, one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, and wherein:

The single FIGURE is a schematic diagram of a flame-starter installation in accordance with themesent invention. 7

Referring now to the single FIGURE of'the drawing, the circuit diagram illustrated in this FIGURE of a flame-starter installation provided for the warming-up of the suctionair in the air suction line 1, comprises a rotational speed monitor 3 of any conventional construction and connected with its contact 3' in parallel with a conventional starter switch 2, a temperaturedependent pick-up or transmitter 6 sensing the water temperature of the internal combustion engine and connected with its contact 6 between the winding of a relay 4 having a switching contact 5 and the parallel circuit consisting of the contact 3' of the rotational speed monitor 3 and of the starter switch 2, and an electric motor 7 energized by a circuit 20, 20 including contact 5 and driving a fuel feed pump of conventional construction. Additionally, an electromagnetically actuatable valve 8 of. any suitable construction and a Gamma controller 9 of conventional construction which responds to the specific weight of the fuel to be used, are arranged in the circuit diagram. A magnetostarter 10 of conventional construction is energized upon closing of starter switch 2 by way of a circuit 21, 21'. The Gamma controller 9 thereby connects the circuit portion 22' between contact 6' and relay 4 of the series circuit 22, 22 either with the circuit 21 controlled by starter switch 2.or with the circuit 23 containing the solenoid valve 8 depending on the specific weight of the fuel. The valve 8 is hydraulically connected in a return line (not shown) leading back from a branch connection of nozzle 11 arranged in the suction pipe 1 to a fuel tank 25. The ignition spark at the plug 16 is produced by means of a coil 13 connected to circuit 20 intermediate contact 5 and motor 7 by way of aseries resistance 14 while an interruptor l2 driven by motor 7 periodically and intermittently shortcircuits the point 15 in the circuit connection between coil 13 and resistor 14.

OPERATION The versatile use of this flame-starter installation constructed as preheater installation operates as follows:

During actuation of the starter push button or switch 2, the internal combustion engine (not shown) is started by way of circuit 21, 21' by means of a conventional magnetostarter l0. Simultaneously therewith, the flame-starter installation dependent on many operating and control magnitudes is set into operation by the actuation of the starter switch 2 causing energization of relay 4 by way of circuit 22, 22' and closed contact 6 thereby closing contact 5 to energize motor 7 and the means 12, 13, 14 producing the ignition spark. The pick-up or transmitter 6 controlled as a function of temperature has to be during this operation with its contact 6' in the position closed (as can be seen from the FIGURE) in order that the relay 4 influencing the feed pump 17 can be energized by the starter switch 2. The fuel pressure of about 9 to 10 atmospheres which builds-up during the starting of the supply pump 17 is utilized in order to inject the fuel into the air suction pipe 1 within the area of the spark gap by means of a return flow nozzle 11 constructed as swirl nozzle of any conventional type. The fuel finely divided at this place is ignited by the flame spark plug 16. The ignition spark can be generated either by way of an interrupter 12 built into the fuel supply pump and an ignition coil 13 with series resistance 14 or by a buzzer-type coil with Wagner-type hammer.

The fuel quantity injected into the air suction pipe 1 is controlled both during the starting as also during the running-up of the internal combustion engine in a simple manner by the return flow nozzle 1 l and by a return line 24 branching off from the nozzle 11 in a conventional manner and leading back to a fuel tank 25 by way of an electromagnetically actuated valve 8 which is provided with a by-pass nozzle 26 and interconnected in the return line between the nozzle 11 and the fuel tank. After the starting of the internal combustion engine when a rotational speed of about 600 rpm is reached, the starter switch 2 opens which leads to the deenergization and stoppage of the magnetostarter 10 and to the closing of the valve 8. However, the operation of the flame-starter installation is then maintained by a rotational speed monitor 3 of conventional construction which closes its contact 3 at about 300 400 r.p.m. and therefore is now in its closed position. The fuel now entering only the by-pass nozzle 26 acting as throttle means due to the closing of the valve 8, by way of the return flow nozzle 1 l and the return line effects that the fuel quantity injected into the air suction pipe 1 now increases in order to achieve a matching of the heat generation to the air supply which in the final analysis leads to a rapid running-up of the multi-fuel inter nal combustion engine, especially during gasoline operation. The higher heat quantity to be given off, however, must not be dependent on the position of the starter switch 2 but may be released possibly only when exceeding a predetermined rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. It is equally possible to utilize the injection pump control rack for the actuation of a suitable switch.

If the fuel quantity which is established during Diesel operation should be excessive during the running-up of the engine, after the opening of the starter switch-2, the closing of the valve 8 is prevented by the Gamma regulator 9 arranged in the flame-starter installation or by another pick-up or transmitter, whereby, for example, a switch is dependent on the control travel of the in jection pump, in order to eliminate by this arrangement a disadvantageous smoking of the internal combustion engine when driving with Diesel fuel.

The rotational speed monitor 3, 3 arranged in parallel to the starter switch 2 is provided for the sake of safety in order to permit the injection of fuel into the air suction pipe 1 only when the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine lies above 300 to 400 r.p.m. Asafety switchdependent on an injection pump controller or a voltage relay acted upon by the vehicle generator or alternator serves as transmitter.

During the operation of the internal combustion engine, the transmitter 6 dependent on a predetermined water temperature of the internal combustion engine, which responds, for example, at about 50C., renders the flame-starter installation inoperable, for only beginning with this water temperature, a favorable gas reception without preheating of the suction air is assured.

Since the various parts illustrated in the drawing only schematically are of conventional construction and since they are commercially available items, they are not described in detail herein.

While I have shown and described only one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications as known to those skilled in the art, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein but intend to cover all such changes and modifications as are encompassed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An automatic flame-starter installation especially for multi-fuel internal combustion engines, comprising a fuel supply pump and a fuel-injection nozzle arranged in a suction pipe of the internal combustion engine within the area of a spark gap, a starter switch for starting the internal combustion engine, and means responsive to the starter switch starting the internal combustion engine for substantially simultaneously starting the flame-starter installation with the starting of the internal combustion engine, said starting means including control means responsive to predetermined requirements of the starting of the internal combustion engine for automatically turning off the flame-starter installation in accordance with the predetermined requirements, said control means including means for regulating the heat quantity given off by the flame-starter installation.

2. A flame-starter installation according to claim 1, characterized in that a speed-responsive switch which is connected in parallel with the starter switch, closes only when the internal combustion engine exceeds a predetermined rotational speed, a normally closed switch which is opened when the water temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature and a relay being connected in series with the parallel circuit arrangement including the starter switch and the speedresponsive switch, said relay, upon energization, closing a switch energizing a motor for driving the pump and rendering operable the spark ignition.

3. A flame-starter installation according to claim 2, characterized in that a Gamma control means actuates a switch so as to connect a point disposed in the series circuit between said temperature-responsive contact,

and the relay means either with the energizing circuit of a solenoid valve, hydraulically connected in a return line leading from the injection nozzle to the fuel tank, or with the circuit controlled by the starter switch.

4. A flame-starter installation according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes means for starting up again the flame-starter installation under predetermined conditions after the turning off of the flamestarter installation.

5. A flame-starter installation according to claim 1, wherein said regulating means provides for a progressive heat quantity being given off by the flame-starter installation from the beginning of the starting of the internal combustion engine.

6. A flame-starter installation according to claim 1, wherein said regulating means controls the release of a larger heat quantity in dependence on the position of the starter switch.

7. A flame-starter installation according to claim 6, wherein said regulating means controls the release of the larger heat quantity only when a predetermined rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is exceeded.

8. A flame-starter installation according to claim 7, wherein said regulating means includes a switch means controlled by a Gamma control means and operable for throttling the heat quantity which may be excessive during the running-up of the internal combustion engine.

9. A flame-starter installation according to claim 8, wherein said control means includes a transmitter means controlled in dependence on the water temperature of the internal combustion engine and arranged in the flame-starter installation for turning off the operation of the flame-starter installation beginning with a predetermined water temperature of the internal combustion engine.

10. A flame-starter installation according to claim 9, wherein said control means includes a safety switch means and that after the starting of the internal combustion engine, the continued operation of the flamestarter installation is possible by means of the safety switch means only when a predetermined minimum rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is exceeded.

11. A flame-starter installation according to claim 10, wherein said control means includes means for starting up again the flame-starter installation under predetermined conditions after the flame-starter installation has been turned off.

12. A flame-starter installation according to claim 1 1, wherein said regulating means provides for progressive heat quantity given off by the flame-starter installation from the beginning of the starting of the internal combustion engine. 

1. An automatic flame-starter installation especially for multifuel internal combustion engines, comprising a fuel supply pump and a fuel-injection nozzle arranged in a suction pipe of the internal combustion engine within the area of a spark gap, a starter switch for starting the internal combustion engine, and means responsive to the starter switch starting the internal combustion engine for substantially simultaneously starting the flame-starter installation with the starting of the internal combustion engine, said starting means including control means responsive to predetermined requirements of the starting of the internal combustion engine for automatically turning off the flame-starter installation in accordance with the predetermined reQuirements, said control means including means for regulating the heat quantity given off by the flame-starter installation.
 2. A flame-starter installation according to claim 1, characterized in that a speed-responsive switch which is connected in parallel with the starter switch, closes only when the internal combustion engine exceeds a predetermined rotational speed, a normally closed switch which is opened when the water temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature and a relay being connected in series with the parallel circuit arrangement including the starter switch and the speed-responsive switch, said relay, upon energization, closing a switch energizing a motor for driving the pump and rendering operable the spark ignition.
 3. A flame-starter installation according to claim 2, characterized in that a Gamma control means actuates a switch so as to connect a point disposed in the series circuit between said temperature-responsive contact and the relay means either with the energizing circuit of a solenoid valve, hydraulically connected in a return line leading from the injection nozzle to the fuel tank, or with the circuit controlled by the starter switch.
 4. A flame-starter installation according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes means for starting up again the flame-starter installation under predetermined conditions after the turning off of the flame-starter installation.
 5. A flame-starter installation according to claim 1, wherein said regulating means provides for a progressive heat quantity being given off by the flame-starter installation from the beginning of the starting of the internal combustion engine.
 6. A flame-starter installation according to claim 1, wherein said regulating means controls the release of a larger heat quantity in dependence on the position of the starter switch.
 7. A flame-starter installation according to claim 6, wherein said regulating means controls the release of the larger heat quantity only when a predetermined rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is exceeded.
 8. A flame-starter installation according to claim 7, wherein said regulating means includes a switch means controlled by a Gamma control means and operable for throttling the heat quantity which may be excessive during the running-up of the internal combustion engine.
 9. A flame-starter installation according to claim 8, wherein said control means includes a transmitter means controlled in dependence on the water temperature of the internal combustion engine and arranged in the flame-starter installation for turning off the operation of the flame-starter installation beginning with a predetermined water temperature of the internal combustion engine.
 10. A flame-starter installation according to claim 9, wherein said control means includes a safety switch means and that after the starting of the internal combustion engine, the continued operation of the flame-starter installation is possible by means of the safety switch means only when a predetermined minimum rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is exceeded.
 11. A flame-starter installation according to claim 10, wherein said control means includes means for starting up again the flame-starter installation under predetermined conditions after the flame-starter installation has been turned off.
 12. A flame-starter installation according to claim 11, wherein said regulating means provides for progressive heat quantity given off by the flame-starter installation from the beginning of the starting of the internal combustion engine. 